The Axiom-4 mission, which marked a milestone for private spaceflight and international cooperation, is set to conclude today with the return of its four-member crew, including Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. After spending 18 days in space, including two weeks aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the team will begin their journey back to Earth with splashdown expected in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California.
The Crew Dragon capsule, named Grace, undocked from the ISS at 4:35 PM IST on July 14, officially initiating the return phase of the mission. The crew, comprising Shubhanshu Shukla, American astronaut Peggy Whitson, Polish astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu, had launched on June 26 and conducted over 60 scientific experiments during their stay.
The spacecraft will gradually lower its orbit through a series of maneuvers before initiating its de-orbit burn at approximately 350 kilometers above the Earth. Atmospheric re-entry will follow, exposing the capsule to extreme temperatures and gravitational forces. Splashdown is scheduled for around 3:00 PM IST on July 15 in the Pacific Ocean, where SpaceX recovery teams will retrieve the capsule and assist the astronauts in disembarking.
For Shubhanshu Shukla, this marks a historic achievement as he becomes the first Indian to visit the ISS and the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma in 1984. During his time aboard the station, Shukla conducted seven scientific experiments sponsored by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), exploring areas such as bone cell growth, algae cultivation, and microgravity effects on Indian dietary supplements.
Shukla also made headlines for connecting with Indian school students via ham radio, holding live conversations with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and paying homage to Rakesh Sharma by reciting “Saare Jahan Se Achha” and delivering a message about modern India's unity and scientific progress.
The mission, operated by Axiom Space in partnership with NASA and SpaceX, was the fourth privately funded human spaceflight to the ISS and marked the first time astronauts from Poland and Hungary visited the space station under government sponsorship in over four decades.
Following splashdown, the crew will be transported to land for medical evaluations and re-acclimatization. Shukla’s homecoming is being eagerly awaited by his family and by a nation proud of his contributions to space exploration. He is expected to play a key role in India’s future space initiatives, including the upcoming Gaganyaan mission.
The successful conclusion of Axiom-4 underscores the growing role of commercial and international partnerships in human spaceflight and opens new doors for global scientific collaboration beyond Earth.